The Calling of God.
February 23, 2025
Matthew 4:17-22 (ESV) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
v. 17 is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry on earth:
“From that time Jesus began to preach …”
Jesus had been baptized.
Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil.
Now it is time to begin His ministry:
To proclaim the Good News to everyone.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
a. Repent:
(Change your Mind, Attitude, Actions, Life Chooses, Direction)
b. For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
God’s Kingdom is now Obtainable, Close By.
This is a message of Hope and Salvation:
-Through Repentance, Faith in God and by the Grace of God, you could be part of God’s Kingdom.
This is a Message that people still need today.
-Everyone, Everywhere can have Hope, Salvation and be part of His Kingdom.
His method to get the Word out is to use people.
The first people Jesus calls:
Two sets of brothers:
Peter and Andrew.
James and John (Sons of Thunder)
God still calls people today.
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15 (ESV) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
The Calling of God:
1. Is a Calling to Follow Jesus.
v. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
“Follow” (Greek: akoloutheo) means:
to accompany, to be in the same way with.
It is not to just physically follow.
It is to be in a close and personal relationship with Jesus.
It is not a casual relationship.
It is a Personal Invitation to Partnership with Jesus.
We must hear Jesus’ voice and respond in obedience.
John 10:27 (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
The Calling of God:
-Is not dependent on your abilities, education.
1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (NIV) 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.
-Is not dependent on your availability.
Peter, Andre, James and John:
-were at work.
-not prepared or expecting Jesus to call them.
But Jesus still calls no matter your circumstance or condition.
We must respond by faith to the Call of God without making Excuses.
Luke 9:59–62 (NLT) 59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
As Christians we must Encourage others to Answer the Call:
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV):
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
The Calling of God:
1. Is a Calling to Follow Jesus.
2. Gives you Vision for something greater than yourself.
v. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Jesus gave them a vision of themselves that they never thought of:
A Vision from fishing for fish to fishing for people.
A Vision will:
-Give Life:
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18 (The Passion Trans) When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul.
-Transform your life.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Acts 2:17–18 (ESV) 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
-Give you a New Purpose.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
The Calling of God:
1. Is a Calling to Follow Jesus.
2. Gives you Vision for something greater than yourself.
3. Is to be willing to surrender all.
Matthew 4:18–22 (ESV) 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
The response of these disciples was immediate:
They made the quick decision to follow Jesus.
They left their jobs behind.
They left their fishing equipment, gear behind.
They left their father behind.
They surrender all to Follow Jesus.
Someone once said, “Delayed Obedience is Disobedience.”
Jesus is looking for men and women who are willing to surrender all to Him.
Luke 9:57–58 (NLT) 57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
This is true Discipleship:
Luke 9:23 (NLT) Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
God calls some to full time ministry.
God calls others to be the laity of the church.
Everyone is called to Follow Jesus by being willing to surrender all.
When you answer the call:
-You will never be the same.
-You will need spiritual strength more than ever.
-You Will have the Joy of the Lord in your Heart.
Is God calling you today?
Are you Listening for God’s Calling?
Jesus will:
Give you Vision greater than yourself.
Transforms your Life.